§ Mr. Gerald Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from doctors about the Chief Medical Officer's proposed voluntary code of practice relating to potential organ donors.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, pursuant to the answer of 11 July, he is now in a position to make an announcement on the introduction of a voluntary code of practice on procuring relatives' permission for the removal of organs for transplantation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe Chief Medical Officer wrote to the medical profession's representative bodies asking for their views on introducing a voluntary code of practice under which doctors would agree to ensure that, whenever a patient died who was clinically suitable as an organ donor, the relatives were asked for permission for the organs to be removed. He has now received replies which are on the whole positive, though some reservations were expressed. The Chief Medical Officer's intention is that a working party be set up to take the matter forward.